Buddhist Wheel of Life

Salakeoku is a sculpture garden of enormous proportion a and profound significance that is hidden away in the little town of Nong Khai, along the mighty Mekong River.


This park was designed by a Laoatian artist and mystic named Boun Leua Sourirat who named his creation after his guru Keoku. The landscape consists of many massive sculptures depicting Buddhist deities and devotees.

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The centerpiece is the "Wheel of Life" which is a powerful portrayal of the journey that we all must make. I have reproduced it here to help you gain the same insight that I have gleaned for my journey. Blessings!

Map of the wheel:


You as a Foetus:


Your Birth:


You are given 6 senses:


Childhood:


The First Buddhist Element -- Heat or Energy:


Symbol of Democracy:


His Magesty the King:


Officialdom:


Adolescence:


Your aging process:


Prayer and Religion:


Yogic Contemplation:


The Mafia Man:


The Second Buddhist Element -- Wind, Chi, Prana, or Breath of Life:


Marriage:


The Business Woman:


The Yuppie:


The Police:


Your Sickness:


Love:


Begging:


Adultery:


The Death of Love:


The Third Buddhist Element -- Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom:


Poverty:


Old Age:


Your Death:


Departure of the Spirit:


The Fourth Buddhist Element -- Water, Movement, Change, Fluidity:


Funeral:


Following Buddha to Nirvana:


Perceiving the Buddha Nature:


Smiling Buddha!


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Other pix from around the park:

Cobras:




Big Belly:


Heads in the Water:


Monk: